JACKSON – For some, the idea of uncovering artifacts conjures up some “spooky” feelings. October is unofficially spooky season, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation along with the Mississippi Archaeological Association and various state agencies recognize October as Archaeology Month in Mississippi.
MDOT’s Archaeology unit is housed in the Environmental Division, and it plays a vital role in the planning and construction of MDOT projects. While an area might seem like the perfect place for a road or infrastructure project, it may be home to buried artifacts. Led by Chief Archaeologist Jim Turner, MDOT’s team of archaeologists has the responsibility of finding and uncovering these artifacts.
When a project is still in its planning stage, Turner and his team will visit the site to conduct a cultural resource survey. The archaeologists will dig test pits in regular intervals along the proposed right of way to ensure there are no cultural artifacts in the area. If an artifact is found, they will expand the survey, which could lead to a full-scale excavation. The division works closely with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and Native American tribes to ensure artifacts are documented and cared for correctly.
“Here at MDOT, abiding by federal and state laws, we do cultural resource studies on every project that comes across our desk,” said Turner. “Every time there is new right of way, it has to be surveyed to make sure that no archaeological sites are located there. And if so, we deal with it by shifting the right of way or excavating the site.”
Cultural resource management, the driving force behind most archaeological work in the United States, ensures that the proper areas are preserved and protected.
One of MDOT’s biggest archaeological projects was preserving the Pocahontas Mounds along U.S. Highway 49 in Hinds County. In 1974, plans to expand the highway to four lanes had to be postponed when a midden was discovered. The site was properly excavated, and expansion of the highway continued. Today, travelers can visit this site in the middle of the median that includes an interpretative center with replications of the discovered artifacts.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation is responsible for providing a safe, intermodal transportation network that is planned, designed, constructed and maintained in an efficient, economical and environmentally sensitive manner. For more information, visit GoMDOT.com.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
